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Support of Substitute House Bill 479 (credible data bill) by Farm Bureau members has lead to its passage in the House Energy and Environment Committee. In the Feb. 18 issue of Buckeye Farm News, Ohio Farm Bureau members were asked to contact members of the Energy and Environment Committee in support of the bill. It was passed unanimously in committee March 21. The credible data legislation is now pending consideration on the House floor.

The intent of the bill, introduced by Rep. Tony Core, (R-Rushylvania), is to prevent agencies from using subjective opinions instead of scientific fact as they assess surface water quality and require remediation. A second part of the bill would allow Ohio EPA to use data collected by nonagency sources, if the data is subject to the same high level of validity that OEPA’s data is held to.

OFBF supports this bill because it will provide definitions for credible data and the uses for that data given the level at which it was obtained.

"This legislation will go a long way to provide clear definitions and requirements for a science-base in surface water quality regulation rather than dependence on narrative or subjective data," said Deering Dyer, OFBF’s director of local affairs. "This bill also allows more resources that the Ohio EPA can use to comply with federal laws."

Dyer also said there is not much opposition to the legislation, although many are worried about the $3.5 million cost estimate. However, supporters are convinced that it would take considerably less to implement this bill.

"Rep. Core and supporters are working to get the figure to a more realistic estimate," Dyer said. "With a new cost estimate, it is more likely the bill would receive better consideration. We hope the House will take up the matter after spring break in April."